Valid to UK only - excludes oversized items
Masking tape is an essential tool in scale modelling and the size you choose can significantly impact the quality and...
One of the headaches modelmakers and scratchbuilders face is how to keep files clear of accumulated metal filings and...
To achieve convincingly scorched, blackened textures on fire-damaged structures, the techniques involved can seem...
One of the most rewarding aspects of building a model railway is creating a realistic, living world in miniature....
The EM gauge refers to a specific track gauge that falls between the standard OO gauge and P4 standards. The term...
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There are lots of manufacturers making OO gauge engines. The most common ones are Hornby, Bachmann but there are also a plethora of smaller actors such as Heljan or Dapol. You can also find engines sold exclusively by certain shops under their...
There are figures on the market designed purely for populating coaches. The ones that spring to mind are the Noch passenger figures which are all seated minus their lower legs which helps them to sit nicely on any coach seat. You could obviously...
Ready to run kits are good if your modelling skills are limited, simply buy and add to your layout. You also know the finish will be good and they will be square and run correctly. But many railway modellers prefer to build them and add their own...
This is quite straight forward as there are no real instructions on fitting 6-pin decoder. If you find that your loco won't run, try inserting the other way up, this should do the trick. Usually there is a small dot identifying pin number one on...
Whether your DCC engine can run on an analogue layout depends on the decoder fitted to the engine. If the decoder is "analogue compatible" and the relevant CV (function) is activated, then yes, the engine will work with an analogue controller....
Surely more is always better, so a 21 pin decoder is bound to be better than an 8 pin decoder? Actually, the answer is not that straightforward. With more pins, a 21 pin DCC decoder will be able to manage more functions than an 8 pin decoder....
As the DCC standard is still evolving, there are several different sizes and formats for DCC decoders.To give you an idea of the difference in pin numbers and their capabilities/functionality take a look at the list below of common DCC...
"Analogue compatible" means the decoder is able to run on a traditional analogue layout that is not DCC. This is useful if you have two layouts, one being DCC and one being analogue: the same engine can be used with no modification on both...
The blanking plate is a small circuit board that manufacturers add to the DCC socket to protect the socket that your DCC chip will go in. The blanking plate will need to be removed before the DCC chip can be inserted to allow you to run on a DCC...
DCC ready means that the loco is designed to be fitted with a DCC chip. At the factory a small piece of circuitry is added to the loco with a socket that enables you to insert a DCC decoder to convert the engine from analogue to DCC. It is quite...
In theory, it should be easy as the whole idea of being DCC Ready is to simplify the process. The first time I did this, it took me less than five minutes however it will depend on where the socket for the DCC decoder has been placed. Sometimes...
You do not always have a model railway controller on you. And even if you do, sometimes you do not have any power socket to use it. This means you may not be able to test an engine before buying it. The easiest solution is to get a 9 volt battery...